Escorregamentos em Taludes: análise de estabilidade de um talude na Av. Beira Rio em João Pessoa/PB

Abstract

Due to its geomorphology and climatic conditions, Brazil is a country that generally faces high risks of slope failures and related disasters. This factor, combined with its predominantly tropical climate and high rainfall rates during the summer, leads to recurrent cases of mass movements. The country is experiencing constant changes in its urban growth patterns, largely driven by a high population growth rate and the concentration of this population in major urban centers. It has become evident that the lack of planning and uncontrolled urbanization result in various environmental issues, including slope failures. In the city of João Pessoa, in the state of Paraíba, occurrences of mass movements can be observed, particularly in the form of slope failures along Avenida Ministro José Américo de Almeida, known as Avenida Beira Rio. In recent years, especially after heavy rainfall events, the Civil Defense has been recording instances of slope failures that have affected residential areas and the highway. This study examines the period between 2013 and 2022, correlating these incidents with rainfall data. Despite ongoing mass movements, the problem is typically addressed in a reactive manner focusing on specific locations, which leaves many areas vulnerable to future slope failures during subsequent rain events. Given this problem, the present study aims to analyze the stability of the slope located along Avenida Beira Rio. Soil samples were collected from the designated research area for laboratory testing in order to obtain geotechnical parameters. The grain size analysis revealed that the soil has good gradation and clay-like characteristics, resulting in a low plasticity index, indicating a cohesionless soil.